Forum: Ignorance is not bliss

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Journal Star

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Posted Aug. 11, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Updated Aug 11, 2014 at 5:44 PM

Posted Aug. 11, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Updated Aug 11, 2014 at 5:44 PM

Did you know that Illinois has 24 coal-fired power plants? Did you know that 91 coal ash disposal ponds were built near shallow aquifers, over wetlands, or near groundwater recharge areas? Did you know these coal ash disposal ponds contain arsenic, chromium, lead, mercury and other heavy metals and hazardous pollutants?

Neither did the folks who lived near the Duke Energy Dan River Plant in North Carolina before 140 million tons of coal ash and waste water contaminated the Dan River for 70 miles.

Did you know that Illinois coal plants produce 4.4 million tons of ash each year? Did you know that Illinois also serves as a dumping ground for coal ash from at least six other states?

Illinois Congressman John Shimkus is chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. Several Illinois environmental groups are asking him to hold a hearing to learn how the Environmental Protection Agency will address the threat posed by coal ash impondments and to hear concerns of communities affected by these ponds. Won’t you add your support?